Joseph Smith founded Mormonism in 1830 in New York- Smith claimed to be called by heavenly messengers, including John the Baptist, to restore the original church Christ had established. He later introduced polygamy (plural marriage) which is no longer a practice of the Moromons.
It was originally known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
Under Brigham Young, the Mormons migrated to Utah in 1847, which was admitted as a state in 1896.
Core, Fundamental Beliefs
They think GOD The Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit are three different Gods
Morality flows largely from the "twin sources" of scriptures and reverence for the human body which they believe will be resurrected and carried throughout eternity
Believe in angels, demons, heaven, and a final judgement.
Believe in an "Outer Darkness," but not a definite hell.
Beleive in salvation through rituals, good deeds, and faith.
Practices
Weekly meetings
Semi-annual Church conferences
Sacrament
A Mormon Temple
Lord's Supper
Celebrate Easter and Christmas, but no other Protestant holidays
Set aside Monday evenings for family time
Set aside one Sunday a month for fasting
Sacred Time: Ritual in which Mormons ritually take a footstep out of this time and into eternity by removing their clocks from their ordinance rooms and focus on the history of their first followers.
Prayers
Devotionals
Baptism by immersion
Eucharist
Recitation of church history
Have a priesthood
Conferrals of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, priesthood, etc.
Sacred Text
Mormon version of the Bible
The Book of Mormon- supposedly translated from golden plates found by Joseph Smith near Palmyra, New York; tells story of Lehi, a Jewish priest, and his family in America
The Doctrines and Covenants- contains 65 commandments for the Mormons to live by
Pearl of Great Price- expands on the story of Moses and Enoch; expands on The Gospel of Matthew; contains narrative of Smith's early life and visions; contains a list of 13 Mormon doctrines
Sacred Places and Objects
Sacred places in homes, chapels, and on their maps
Temples
Ethics and Morality
Murder is wrong
No sex before marriage
No homosexuality
No drugs
No alcohol
No drinking tea
No drinking coffee
No drinking soft drinks
Must eat meat sparingly
Fast offerings for the poor- fast from food and give food they would eat to the hungry
Care for poor
10% tithe
Interviews to make sure they believe Mormon beliefs
Interesting Facts
They believe the Garden of Eden was originally in Jackson County, Missouri
They wear "special" underwear for their weddings
They believe God the Father had sex with Mary and gave birth to Jesus, who they believe is Lucifer's half-brother
They need 4 secret handshakes to get into celestial heaven
Origin
Core, Fundamental Beliefs
Practices
Sacred Text
Sacred Places and Objects
Ethics and Morality
Interesting Facts
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Mormonism.html